Therapeutic potential of ECP-SA1: A novel lytic phage against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli.

Bacteriophages are increasingly explored as potential alternatives to antibiotics due to their specificity and ability to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this work, we describe the isolation and characterisation of a new bacteriophage, designated Phage-ECP-SA1, targeting Escherichia coli, a pathogen responsible for various infections in humans and animals. Phage-ECP-SA1 was isolated from sewage samples using a host-specific enrichment method. Morphological analysis via transmission electron microscopy classified Phage-ECP-SA1 within the Myoviridae family. Genomic analysis revealed a double-stranded DNA genome of approximately 70 kb, with 90 ORFs and no known antibiotic resistance or virulence genes, confirming its suitability for therapeutic use. It displayed robust lytic activity across a broad temperature (25-60 °C) and pH range (3-11), with optimal activity at 37 °C and pH 7. Stability assays confirmed its viability under storage conditions. These findings highlight the potential of Phage-ECP-SA1 as a promising phage therapy candidate against E. coli-associated infections, paving the way for further preclinical evaluation.